Books Quote by Charlotte Brontë
““When authors write best, or at least, when they write most fluently, an influence seems to waken in them which becomes their master, which will have its own way, putting out of view all behests but its own, dictating certain words, and insisting on their being used, whether vehement or measured in their nature; new moulding characters, giving unthought-of turns to incidents, rejecting carefully elaborated old ideas, and suddenly creating and adopting new ones. Is it not so? And should we try to counteract this influence? Can we indeed counteract it? from a letter to G.H. Lewes, 12 January 1848””
About This Quote
Source Letter to G.H. Lewes, 12 January 1848
When writers become overly fluent, a dominant influence can hijack their voice, imposing preferred words and shaping characters, often discarding earlier ideas in favor of new, sometimes forced, directions.
In simple terms: Fluency can let a hidden force control a writer’s choices.
Key Takeaway
Beware of letting style dictate substance.
Themes
creativity
control
authenticity
Mood
reflective
concerned
Type
literary
analytical
When to use this quote
- novel writing
- editing
- creative workshops
- literary criticism
Key Concepts
literary influence
voice dominance
self‑censorship
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance fluency with originality?
- Can you recognize when a style becomes a constraint?
A Different Perspective
The influence may also spark innovation, not just restriction.
